Auto Defect in Toyota Models Has Caused Numerous Deaths

More than 4 million Toyota vehicles have been recalled due to an accelerator pedal entrapment problem. It has been discovered that the pedals can get caught in the floor mats, causing excessive acceleration. Unfortunately, by the time this problem was identified, several people had already lost their lives.

Toyota has come up with a solution to fix the accelerator issue. According to a press release by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), Toyota “plans to reconfigure the accelerator pedal, to address the risk of pedal entrapment due to floor mat interference, particularly with regard to inappropriate or improperly attached floor mats.” The auto manufacturer will also be developing replacement pedals for some of the models that have been recalled.

Lives Lost
In August 2009, before the recall was initiated, a highway patrol officer and three of his family members were killed in a car accident believed to have been caused by an accelerator pedal that became stuck. The family was traveling in a Lexus and it has been reported that they were speeding in excess of 120 mph. One of the family members made a frantic telephone call to 911 stating that the accelerator was stuck and that the driver could not stop the vehicle. The Lexus ended up hitting an SUV and then launched off an embankment and flipped several times. The car ended up bursting into flames.

The government has linked at least five fatalities and two injuries to this accelerator problem in Toyota vehicles. There have also been over 100 reports of incidents where the accelerator may have become jammed.

Recalled Toyotas
The vehicles involved in this recall include 2007 to 2010 MY Camry, 2005 to 2010 MY Avalon, 2004 to 2009 MY Prius, 2005-2010 MY Tacoma, 2007-2010 MY Tundra, 2007-2010 MY ES 350, 2006-2010 MY IS 250, and 2006 to 2010 MY IS 350.

If you have been injured in a New York car accident caused by a defective auto part, you may be entitled to compensation. Contact the Manhattan accident attorneys today at Rappaport, Glass, Greene and Levine today at 800.734.9445 for legal advice.